In an effort to deflect attention away from a daily menu of cases of police brutality against people of color in cities across the nation, a Rhode Island lieutenant blamed the #BlackLivesMatter movement for promoting violence against cops.

Lt.Roger Aspinall, speaking for the Providence Fraternal Order of Police, told Fox News’Greta Van Susteren on Tuesday that writing #BlackLivesMatter on the side of a coffee cup is part of a national trend that promotes violence against law enforcement. Yeah, really!

Black Lives Matter advocates have repeatedly stated that they are seeking to hold cops accountable for their actions if and when they abuse their authority. There is no evidence that any violence against police has been encouraged by the movement, or even inspired by their arguments.

Aspinall’s comment came when Fox News host Greta Van Susteren invited him onto her show to discuss the story of a police officer who last week had ordered a coffee from a Dunkin’ Donuts in Providence and found the hashtag #BlackLivesMatter written on the side of the cup.

Van Susteren then asked the lieutenant if he thought that police had “a little bit of a target on their back right now,” notes the news outlet.

“It’s a trend nationally right now,” Aspinall agreed. “It’s what you see with the Black Lives Matter group, promoting violence against police officers. It’s a very difficult time to be in law enforcement.”

Law enforcement officers like Aspinall would do better if they looked to improve police training. The #BlackLivesMatter movement is only shedding light on the longstanding problem of police violence, and does not promote attacks on cops.